New Poll Shows Majority Supports Hydraulic Fracturing

A national poll released today by Robert Morris University shows strong support for hydraulic fracturing and the responsible development of oil and natural gas from shale. This comes just one month after a poll from the University of Texas showed overwhelming (more than 80 percent) support for natural gas development.

Respondents in the RMU poll were given a presentation on the fracturing process from the perspective of both environmental groups and the energy industry. The results speak for themselves:

56.4 percent support hydraulic fracturing

43.6 percent oppose the process

Tony Kerzmann, assistant professor of engineering at Robert Morris Univ. suggested the poll may be indicative of a trend toward increased public support:

“Just three years ago, when there was staunch opposition to fracturing by many environmental groups, I think you would have been lucky to have a third of poll respondents in support of the fracing… With the economic benefits many regions have experienced, and having experienced minimal environmental problems, even the environmental groups are starting to join forces with oil and gas companies.”

Polls like this prove that, despite some of the headlines we all read or the various claims intended to malign oil and gas development, the industry has been delivering significant benefits and minimizing risks.

According to the poll, of those surveyed:

A majority of respondents would welcome hydraulic fracturing in their own backyards.

A majority sees new drilling technologies as helping the United States become more energy independent.

A strong majority sees hydraulic fracturing as boosting the U.S. economy.

Oh, and last year shale development supported over two million jobs nationwide and generated $75 billion in state and federal tax revenue. In a sluggish economy, shale offers a rare but meaningful glimmer of hope.